DAZN Appoints Betting Veteran Alex Gersh as CFO to Drive Expansion

Sports entertainment platform DAZN has signaled a major shift towards the betting and technology sectors by appointing Alex Gersh as its new Chief Financial Officer. Gersh, a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of experience, is well-known for his tenure at Sportradar, where he orchestrated the company's successful listing on the NASDAQ. His background also includes significant roles at Betfair and Paddy Power Betfair, making him a strategic choice for DAZN as it seeks to further monetize its massive sports broadcasting rights through integrated betting experiences.

The appointment is part of a broader management restructuring under Group CEO Shay Segev. Darren Waterman, who served as CFO since 2022 and steered the company to its first-ever profitable year in 2025, will transition into the newly created role of Chief Business Officer. In this position, Waterman will focus on global partnerships, corporate transactions, and commercial development. Joining them is Patrick Delany, the former CEO of Foxtel Group, who takes over as Chief Operating Officer. Delany's primary objective will be to drive subscriber growth and revenue across DAZN’s operational divisions, building on his recent success integrating Foxtel into the DAZN ecosystem.

Numbers and facts

The leadership changes come on the heels of a transformative period for the company. DAZN reported reaching profitability in 2025, a milestone achieved alongside the acquisition of Australia's Foxtel Group at an enterprise value of $2.2 billion. This acquisition has already paid dividends, with DAZN Australia now reaching one in every two Australian households. Furthermore, the platform's reach was highlighted by the FIFA Club World Cup, which attracted hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

In 2026, DAZN has continued its aggressive growth strategy. The company acquired ViewLift and EverPass to bolster its technical infrastructure and rights management. A significant pillar of this new strategy is the exploration of prediction markets. In January 2026, DAZN partnered with Polymarket to incorporate event contracts directly into its platform. This was followed by a strategic alliance with ADI Predictstreet, FIFA's first official prediction market partner, to develop regulated betting experiences for sports fans globally.

"DAZN is entering an exciting new chapter of profitable growth, during which we will build on the strong momentum we have created in the business. Our built-for-sport platform is now available in more than 200 markets, connecting millions of fans across the world to the sports they love through immersive experiences that go far beyond broadcast." - Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group

Background

Alex Gersh's arrival is a calculated move to satisfy investor demands for financial discipline and long-term value creation. Reporting directly to Shay Segev, Gersh will oversee capital allocation and group performance. His experience in navigating the complexities of the gambling industry, particularly during the Betfair and Paddy Power merger, provides DAZN with the expertise needed to scale its betting services in highly regulated environments.

In the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), the company is also preparing for a leadership transition. Alice Mascia, who led the segment for four years, will step down at the end of the year. Felix Krause, who recently rejoined the company, will serve as deputy CEO before officially taking over as the regional CEO on January 1, 2027. This move ensures stability in one of DAZN's most critical European markets.

Why it matters for German players

For German fans, DAZN's pivot towards betting means a more integrated experience, but one that is strictly governed by the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). The GGL (Joint Gambling Authority of the States) maintains a whitelist of approved operators, and any betting feature DAZN introduces must comply with German law. This includes adherence to the €1,000 monthly deposit limit and the central LUGAS monitoring system. Gersh's experience with regulated markets will be vital in ensuring that DAZN's expansion into prediction markets meets these stringent local requirements without risking its broadcasting licenses.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Traditional GGL-licensed betting providers and online casinos face a formidable new competitor. DAZN's ability to cross-sell betting products to its existing subscriber base of millions of sports fans gives it a significant advantage. While unlicensed offshore operators from jurisdictions like Curacao or Malta are being pushed out of the German market, DAZN Bet is positioning itself as a fully compliant, high-reach alternative. The company's focus on technological integration and legal compliance could set a new standard for how sports betting is consumed in Germany, forcing existing players to innovate or lose market share.